Fergie: RVP could have been killed

Robin van Persie of Manchester United is pulled away from Swansea City 's Ashley Williams

That was the most dangerous thing I’ve seen on a football field for many, many years

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United boss Fergie wants the FA to tear up their own rule book and ban Williams – even though referee Michael Oliver gave him a yellow card at the time.

The flare-up happened 15 minutes from the end of United’s 1-1 draw yesterday.

Van Persie was fouled on the edge of the box and although the whistle had blown, Wales captain Williams tried to clear the ball and kicked it from pointblank range into the back of the Dutchman’s head. “He could have been killed,” said a livid Fergie.

“The FA has got to look into it, irrespective of him having a yellow card. He should be banned for a long time because that was the most dangerous thing I’ve seen on a football field for many, many years.

“It was absolutely deliberate, no question. Robin could have had a broken neck.

“The whistle has gone, the game has stopped, and he’s done that right in front of the referee, a foot from the player. It was a disgraceful act.”

Van Persie reacted by grabbing angrily at Williams and the pair were kept apart by team-mates in a melee involving a dozen players, before Oliver gave both of them yellow cards.

Williams tried to defend himself, saying: “I have seen it on TV and that is his opinion. Everyone is going to have their own opinion, but, from my point of view, I tried to apologise on the pitch and it all flared up.

“I just kicked the ball in frustration and obviously not trying to hit him square on the head. I understand exactly why he is angry. I would be the same if the ball hit me on the head at that pace.”

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup said: “I don’t think Sir Alex meant literally killing him. Things happen in a game and I am sure they shook hands at the final whistle.

“When your pulse is on 180, then you can say things you don’t mean but then afterwards it is back to normal.”

Patrice Evra’s early goal was cancelled out by Swansea hot-shot Michu, but despite dominating the rest of the game, the Premier League leaders couldn’t fi nd a winner.

Fergie said: “We absolutely battered them and were very unlucky. It should have been a six-point gap today and that is the disappointment.

“It was a great performance by us in the second half and if I have a criticism it was only that the final ball let us down.”